Last month we told you that Aerosmith were going to enter the studio in the second week of July to begin work on their long-awaited 14th studio album. Turns out they were so anxious to begin that they started early. "Aerosmith hits the studio with Jack Douglas today," drummer Joey Kramer tweeted yesterday. "One word bout 1st day n studio 'Inspiring.'" For any doubters out there, he also tweeted a photo of himself in a recording studio with producer Jack Douglas.

In other Aerosmith news, the band just announced an eight-date tour of Japan kicking off November 22nd. “Our prayers are with all of our Japanese fans and the people of Japan," Joe Perry said in a statement. "They can use all of our prayers and whatever help we can give. We can’t wait to be there and play for the people who have supported us for the past 40 years. Our fans know how much we love them and we are eager to return and give them the show of a lifetime, especially after the tragedy they have recently been through." (Below, see a video that Steven Tyler posted to announce the Japanese dates).

Before the South American run, the group is playing nine shows in South America and Mexico. There's no word about any U.S. dates, but not long after the Japan leg ends, Steven Tyler's American Idol duties will kick in and fill up much of his time through May of 2012. Maybe if all goes well, the band will debut their new work at some point on the next season of the show.